V-band clamp with clamping band and combined guide and bracing yokes



y 1958 T. A. WOOLSEY ET AL 2,841,420

V-BAND CLAMP WITH CLAMPING BAND AND COMBINED GUIDE AND BRACING YOKESFiled April 24, 1956 32 THEODORE A. L/OOLSEY ALBERT D. HEB/1AA!Zia/V1420 L. P/Cf INVEN TOR.

United States Patent Ofiice 2,841,420 Patented July 1, 1958 V-BANDCLAlVIP WITH CLAMPING BAND AND COMBINED GUIDE AND BRACING YOKES TheodoreA. Woolsey, Albert Dale Herman, and Leonard L. Rice, Los Angeles,Calif., assignors to Aerogulp Corporation, Jackson, Mich., a corporationof Michigan Application April 24, 1956, Serial No. 580,336

' 2 Claims. 0. 285-421) This invention relates to band clamps forcoupling flanged members such as tube sections in a fluid line,structural pillars, either tubular or solid, and other. members havingcoupling flanges. Such clamps are commonly referred to as V-band clamps,and embody flange retainer segments of channel section, the sides ofwhich are usually in flared relation so as to exert a wedging effect onflanges embraced by them, whereby to crowd the flanges into tightcoupling association. The segments are usually attached to a constrictorband which encircles them and has means for developing a constrictingaction to draw the segments tightly around the flanges.

The wedging action of the retainer segments develops axial loads whichtend to spread the sides (jaws) of the segments, impairing theircoupling efiiciency. To overcome the spreading tendency, it iscustomary. to reinforce the jaws by means of marginal flanges, commonlyreferred to as feet.

Another problem in a V-band clamp, is the problem of circumferentialshifting of the segments against the coupling flanges as the band clampis taken up circumferentially to tighten the joint.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide novel, improvedV-band clamp having a slipping connection between the retainer segmentsand theconstrictor band, whereby the segments may remain in fixedpositions circumferentially while the 'band slips against them in theconstricting operation. p

Another object is to provide such a slipping band clamp having improvedmeans for transmitting reinforcing loads to the segment jaws in a mannerto effectively oppose the spreading tendency. More specifically, it isan object to provide such a band clamp embodying a novel and improvedyoke member combining the function of providing a guide for the slippingband and transmitting from the band to the segment feet, radial loadingto buttress the segment jaws against spreading.

A further object is to provide an improved V-band clamp having animproved slipping band arrangement utilizing anti-friction means betweenthe band and the retainer segments, for minimizing friction in theslipping action.

Other objects wll become apparent in the ensuing specifications andappended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a clamp embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional'view thereof taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of a modified form of the clamp;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end view of the clamp of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view of another modified form of theinvention; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the clamp of Fig. 5, taken on line 66thereof.

The invention as disclosed in Fig. 1

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and in particular to Fig. l, wehave shown therein, as an example of one form in which the invention maybe embodied, a V-band clamp comprising generally a series of retainersegments 10, a constrictor band 11 to which the retainer segments 10 areattached, a series of yokes 12 providing a slipping attachment betweenthe segments 10 and the band 11, and connector means 13 for drawing theends of the band together to tighten the clamp around a flange joint.Such joint may, for example, comprise opposed flanges 14 (Fig. 3) on theends of respective tube sections 15 to be coupled together, with flanges14 clamped against a gasket 16 and the joint thereby sealed.

A wedging action, for tightly clamping the flanges 14 together, isderived from the radially inward movement of inwardly diverging frustoconical sides or jaws 17 of the channel segments 10, bridged by a crownsection or apex 18 at the periphery of the clamp, and provided withaxially projecting flanges or feet 19 at their radially inward margins.

Yokes 12 may be formed from strap metal. Each yoke comprises a pair oflegs 20 hearing against segment feet 19 and secured thereto as by ringsof welding 21; shoulders 22 projecting axially outwardly from the legs20, return bends 23 joined to shoulders 22, and a bridge 24 extendingbetween and joining the return bends 23. The extremities of bridge 24,in opposed spaced relation to shoulders 22, cooperate therewith and withreturn bends 23 to define guide loops in which the marginal portion ofband 11 are slidably retained.

The invention as disclosed in Fig. 2

segments 16, fitting the clamp over the assembled flanges 14 and againcoupling the ends of the clamp through connector 13 and operating thelatterto draw the ends of the band 11 together. Thus the segments 19 aredrawn radially inwardly against flanges 14, exerting a wedging effect bywhich the flanges are clamped tightly against one another or againstgasket 16. After the segments have gripped the flanges 14, they willremain fixed against circumferential shifting while the band 11 slipswithin yokes 12 to eifect its circumferential takeup action.

An important function of the yokes 12, in addition to their serving asguides for band 11, is the transmission of radial loads inwardly fromthe margins of band 11 through legs 20 to feet 19 of the retainersegments 10, so as to restrain the tendency of jaws 17 to spread apartwhen exerting wedging pressure against flanges 14. Legs 20 thus functionas struts, and the shoulders 22 function as the heads of the struts toreceive the pressure from hand 11. Also, the bridge 24, joined toshoulders 22 through return bend 23, cross-braces the shoulders 22 sothat they will transmit the pressure to legs 20 without yielding.

The invention as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4 Referring now to Figs. 3 and4, instead of direct bearing engagement of band 11 against apex 18, aseries of heap ing balls 25 are interposed between apex 18 and band Theinvention as disclosed in Figs. '5 and 6 In the arrangement shown inFigs. 5 and 6, roller bearings of needle b earing proportions, indicatedat 27,

11, being seated and retained'in shallow conical recesses V 26in apex18. V

are interposed between band 11 and segments 10, with their centralportions inrolling engagement'with apex 18 audwith their end portions inrolling bearing engagement with shoulders 22.j Stop fingersj28, formedintegrally; with shoulders '22, project axially therefrom V andare-thence bent outwardly to block the path of rolling movement ofbearings 27 at the respective. limits thereof.

A pair of springs 29, each including an armanchored' to segment it? (orto yokev arm 29) and a free arm. which yieldingly, bears against arespective end of roller 27 as. indicated, function to yieldin gly bias'the roller toward one limit of rolling movement, i. .e., the limitposition away from which it would tend to roll when the band is drawntightly against the segments. The springs 29 are effective to maintainthe bearing roller normal to the plane of the joint,'i. e.', parallel tothe axis of the fluid line, avoiding canting of the roller such aswould'interfere with its rolling in a truly circumferential direction.We. claim: i a

1. In a band clamp for coupling flanged members: a

plurality of retainer segments for collectively encircling and embracinga pair of abutted flanges, saidsegments being of rolled channel sectionincluding an apex, a pair of jaws extending generally radially inwardlyfrom re- 7 spective sides of said apex, and a foot extending axiallyoutwardly from each of the respective jaws at its inner margins; aconstrictor band for drawing said segments radially inwardly, said bandencircling the segments outformed strap metal'yokes each including apair of 'laterally spaced legs secured to respective feet of arespective segment, a pair of shoulders extending axially outwardly fromthe respective legs and axially alignedwith the segment apex, returnbends joined to the outer extremities of said shoulders, and abridgejoining said return bends and overlyingsaid'banmthe extremities of said"bridge cooperating with isaid'shoulders and return bends to'p rovideopposed guide loops in whichthe respective. margins of said band areslidably retained, and. anti- 7 through wardly of the 'apexe s thereof;connector means for draw- 7 ing the ends of' said band together; anda'plurality of 1 friction rollers interposed between said band and reespective segments and in rolling engagement with saidapex andshoulder's,for transmitting to the segment feet through said legs, radial'loadsdeveloped in said band by the 'constrictionthereof. f

2. In a band clamp for coupling flanged members: a plurality of retainersegments for collectively encircling and embracing a pair of abuttedflanges, said segments being of rolled channel section including anapex, a pair of jaws extending generally radially inwardly fromrespective sides of said apex, and a foot extending axially outwardlyfrom each of the respective jaws at its inner margins; a constrictorband for drawing said segments a radially inwardly, said bandencirclingthe segments outwardly of the apexes thereof; connector means fordrawing the .ends of said' band together;.and a, plurality of formedstrap metal yokes each including a pair of laterally spaced legsbearingagainst respective feet of a retainer segment and 'secured to thesegment, a'pair of shoulders extending axially'outwardly from therespective 7 legs, return bends joined to the outenextremities of saidshoulders, and a bridge joining said return bends and overlying saidband,-the' extremities of said bridge (:0 operating with said shouldersand return bends to provide opposed guide loops in which the respectivemargins of said band are slidably retained, said shoulders beingsubstantially, aligned with said apex" and" said band margins being inload transmitting association with said shoulders rfor"tra' nsmitting tothe "segment feet through said legs, radial loads developed insaid'bands by the constriction threof, and a'ntirfriction rollersinter"- posed between said bandand segments and in rolling engagementwith said band, said 'apexand said shoulders; 'stops projectingoutwardly in obstructing relation to lthe ends ,of said rollers Withinthe areaof their respective yokes, and spring'mea'ns yieldingly engagingthe ends ofth'e' rollers. and biasing them, toward engagement with saidstops at one limit er, rolling movement; said 'r'ollers functioning. totransmit to' the segment ,feet

by the constriction thereof; 7

- References Cited in the file of this patentf UNITED- STATES PATENTS 32,353,572

Kuster e't -al. 'July 11,

2,403,606 Meyer f July 9,1946 2,473,459 Weise Iune 14, 1949 2,548,249woelse enq A r."1o, 1951' 2,602,678 Maho'tf'e't' 1. July 8, 1952 FQREIGNPAT-ENTS f 126,655. ,Great Britain May 22, 1919 1952 said legs,radialloads developed in said band

